Honestly, when I saw that Global Sumud Flotilla trying to “break through” the naval blockade, I couldn’t help but shake my head. To me, it wasn’t humanitarianism — it was publicity. All that energy, money, and self-praise, just to end up being deported.
What purpose did it serve, really?
That’s why I respect Singapore’s approach so much more. When the Singapore Red Cross sent aid to Gaza, it was done properly through lawful, recognised humanitarian channels under international law.
No shouting, no drama, no one crying on camera about how they were mistreated. Just quiet, disciplined compassion and the aid actually reached the people who needed it. Even our President was there to make sure it got through safely.
This is what I call rational humanitarianism compassion guided by reason.
It’s about doing the right thing the right way, with dignity and discipline. The publicity, if any, should belong to the people of Singapore, who made the aid possible not to a small group of individuals seeking the spotlight.
And then I saw that Malaysian singer crying in front of the camera, talking about being “tortured” after joining the flotilla.
Honestly, I didn’t know whether to feel sad or to roll my eyes. It wasn’t courage I saw it was performance.
Real torture is happening every day in Gaza. Real suffering doesn’t have cameras waiting to capture it. When someone turns a humanitarian mission into a stage for personal drama, it loses all meaning. It’s as if the spotlight matters more than the aid.
Humanitarianism is not about how loud you cry or how dramatic you appear. It’s about how much difference you quietly make. Singapore’s model lawful, cooperative, and dignified shows that you can stand with humanity without turning compassion into a performance.
Sometimes, I think the loudest cries don’t come from pain they come from ego.
Norhiayah Mahmood
